Totalled 03 cobra at buddys shop

[NsTyFoX]

Ok guys, My friend totalled his 03 cobra and its at my buddys shop. The car is strip except for for the front/rear brakes and the IRS is still in good shape. Now I've bin thinking alot about installing the brakes on my svo,what exactly should i take off the front brakes(what do i need)? Also should i buy the IRS and swap that in. Is it really worth it? I'm gonna be racing the car down the strip once in awhile. Would the IRS be safe for that? Cause i know thier pretty weak on the cobra's.

Thanks guys
Jim

[MacGyver]

for the fronts you want everything from the strut to the k-member (even the bolts that hold the a-arm on) and the brake lines.

[Raven855]

I wouldn't bother w/ the IRS for a strip car, w/ proper launching it will hold up , but you will have to upgrade shocks, springs etc to cure the wheel hop. To install the front brakes is another matter. That is actually what I am doing now, except for the calipers. Get the control arms, struts, springs, spindles, rotors, calipers and brake lines from the 03. Get yourself some good caster/camber plates and I would recommend m&m. I have a set of FMS plates and after 5000 miles the bearings are so noisy that its embarassing to drive, they are louder than the exhaust. You will need a brake line adapter on the passenger side and figure out how to attach your sway bar as it attachs differently on the SVO than later mustangs. Some people like the brake balance with the SVO rear caliper and some don't. If you don't like it you can then install a balance bar. The front springs on the Cobra are about 650lbs. Upgrade your rear springs and possibly shocks depending on what rate you go with and you should be good to go for now! Of course then you will probably want those nice rear aftermarket trailing arms and some good subframe braces and a strut tower brace and a k member brace and then.....

[Henson]

I have the 03 cobra wheels on my car. I think they look somewhat similar to SVO style with a little of an updated flair.

Get the spindles junk the rest. Siphon the gas!

[SVOeric]

the IRS is a fun toy -- if you want to roadrace, a 8.8 w/ panhard bar is probably better -- BUT -- for a street car, they do seem to smooth out the bumps a bit.
Unless you've built one heck of a 2.3 T, that IRS will take all the abuse you can throw at it. you can always throw the strengthening girdle on the back cover, but I didn't even bother with that.

[Mustang Matt]

I have an IRS in my car- upgraded with all of the Steeda and urethane components on the market. I dont dump the clutch on it ever- due to the mad wheel hop. If you are going to the strip dont even think about the IRS. I happened upon a Factory five Cobra after a car show a few weeks ago that was racing off the line with his buddy and broke an axle. The SVOs torque is unlikely to do that but it will still pound the parts to death. Stick with the stick axle unless you are building a street driver. I love my IRS on the street though.

[SVOeric]

Matt -- which year IRS do you have ?

[stackz]

if you dont go with the irs, how much is your buddy asking for it complete?

[Mustang Matt]

It is from an 01 but upgraded to 00 R specs thanks to Steeda and FMS with the front crossbrace, Bilsteins all of the bushings in the carrier, A-arms and mounting points replaced. The earlier 3.27 gears were a better fit for all the highway driving I do.

[NsTyFoX]

if you dont go with the irs, how much is your buddy asking for it complete?

Dont know I'll ask him but we're in south jersey, Thats gonna be alot for shipping, thanks for the info guys im just gonna grab the brakes and other junk.

[Gator]

Unless you are putting out the HP equalling that of the 03/4 Cobra, I wouldnt really worry about the occasional trip down the drag-strip.

I know guy putting out alot more HP that my IRS equipped SVO will ever see...and even they dont have the wheel-hop issues that the higher HP cars see.

No, its not the ideal st-up for a drag-strip...but if you are just going for fun dont try and cut 1.60 60ft times and you should be fine easing it outta the hole.

[mustangjohnny]

Something you have to remember is the Cobras thet these IRS units came out of weighed 3700 pounds Thats alot of blubber to get moving. If you set up the IRS with GOOD aftermarket bushings and a brace for the rear cover, You will not have Weel hop problems, and if you do not have wheel hop problems, you will not break half shafts
Johnny

[Henson]

I’m pretty sure the IRS issue is a torque problem not a horse power issue. Got Torque? If you have a 2.3 you don't. We'll I guess they’re a few folks that can pull the wheels off the ground.

Someone explain to me why you would want all that additional weight. Sprung or un-sprung? Are you making 600+ horses? If it’s for ride fine. If it’s for performance, go torque arm. If it’s for nostalgia, it’ll take more than an IRS.

Sorry. My Thoughts.

[mustangjohnny]

You are correct! Lots of Torque, heavy car, wheel hop, broken half shafts.(in that order)
If you are looking for the best setup...for road racing, You cant beat the MM Torque arm setup.....The IRS rocks on the street and most autocross events, But when the HP an TQ are there, and you are road racing on slicks....it starts to be a handfull. Torque steer, and other strange feeling things start to happen. Would not trade it for anything on a driver though.
Johnny

[84svo2.3]

man that **** is overrated my friend had a 700 hp cobra that was on stock rear end stock tranny stock motor all it had was exhaust and a whipple and a good tune that car cut a 10.5 at 125mph and that was launching a 5 grand on 18" wheels and drag radials too